Several Questions from a Newbie

I've had my machine for about a month now and I have found this forum to be very helpful. I have some questions I've not seen addressed so I hope some of you with experience will help me.

Is mask leakage something I will just have to live with? I'm currently using a Liberty hybrid mask and if I open my mouth the seal is better than with it closed but I prefer to sleep with my mouth closed.

I have sensitive skin and my face stays hot/flushed most of the day since I began wearing the mask. Does anyone else have this problem? I use the "special" CPAP cream and it doesn't seem to make any difference.

What is the best pillow to accommodate a side sleeper? Purchased with the cutout area? Modified yourself?

Headache? I have a mild headache most of the day. I mentioned it to my sleep doctor and he just nodded. Not too helpful but he probably doesn't have SA!

Thank you in advance for anything you can tell me that might help me along this new journey. I am determined to make this work and work well!

I'm new too but if you sleep with your mouth closed, why not get a nasal CPAP instead of the hybrid? I use a FFM because I'm a mouth breather but would use a nasal pillow one if I could.

My chin seems to have a little bit of the skin irritation that you have....I'm hoping my body adjusts

I too keep getting headaches.....

Lets see what pros say!!

Where did you get your machine that you show in your profile? Was it from a supplier or someone privately? Are you in the US or another country? That machine has been discontinued for quite some time.

Mask comfort and leaks are something that we always try to better in some way or another.

How come they gave you a full face mask? Do you have nasal congestion issues or breath through your mouth a lot. There are much easier to seal masks out there to try.

The headaches....unknown at this point if they are related to OSA or not. Typically headaches that are related to sleep apnea and low oxygen levels are worse when we wake up first thing in the AM and fade away within a couple of hours. Did they just now start with the beginning of the therapy? If so perhaps the straps on the head gear are too tight. Neck hurt? If so, maybe sleeping strangely on the bed pillow.

How many hours of sleep using the machine do you get? Is your sleep fragmented...wake up often?
Have you accessed the data on the machine that you have...I think it has data on the screen. Someone familiar with the older S8 AutoSet Vantage can tell you for sure. There is software available for this machine but the card reader needed to use the software is next to impossible to find and very pricey when we do find it. The newer technology S9 machines use a simple little SD card.

Are you feeling better, the same or worse since you started using the machine?

Maxie: please answer Pugs' questions... then we'll all jump in!!

I had the wrong machine on my profile and now I have it corrected. My "sleep doctor" provided it (and of course, my insurance paid for it) and that is about all I know. They are very nice at the doctor's office but ONLY the RT has a clue about the equipment and when I picked up my equipment he was out sick.

I started out with the nasal prongs at my request but as I slept my mouth would come open and air rushed out which woke me up. I had the chin strap so tight that my jaws ached in the morning. Hence, the full mask. The full mask irritated my nose, hence the hybrid Liberty...nose prongs with mouth mask. I don't really want to sleep with my mouth open but it does open from time to time. I do have sinus/allergy trouble which medication seems to keep in check.

The headaches started after I got my machine and are intermittent. Today I don't have one so I'm just not sure about them.

My sleep is fragmented as I wake up when my mask leaks but maybe I could learn to ignore the small leaks. I'm not sure about this.

I know I have a card in my machine but no one at the doctor's office mentioned reading my own data. How did it come about that many of you read your own? I would like to do that myself but I don't know how to get started.

I appreciate every little tidbit and every huge mouthful that I get here! You are wonderful!

The S9 Elite in your profile is a full data machine. You have 2 choices or software use.
ResScan and SleepyHead. Information on SleepyHead can be found in my signature.
If your computer has a slot for a SD card you need nothing else to be able to use the software. If your computer doesn't have a SD slot then you only need a generic SD card reader/adapter. One end plugs into a USB port on your computer and the other end you plug the SD card into.
If your computer is a Mac...SleepyHead has a Mac version. ResScan does not have a Mac version.

You can find ResScan link in UncleBob's signature..memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Tutorial on how to use ResScan is herehttp://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

Leaks...if they wake you up now there is a good chance they will wake you up later. While we can adjust to some minor leaks and sleep through them it may depend on just how much leak you are getting.
Using the software you can see exactly how much leak is going on..hour by hour.

Headaches could be related to strap tension. It wouldn't be the first time. They could also be something else. Do you use a humidifier? If not, perhaps need to get one. Most people need some additional moisture. Are you having any nose or sinus issues? If you are using a humidifier perhaps a change in the setting would help. Headaches are just as hard to find a cause for with cpap users as non cpap users.

Once you get your software reports we can perhaps offer more ideas to help after we see some reports.

If you keep your mouth closed, you would probably prefer nasal pillows. I use RESmed Swift FX Nasal Pillows. The air would go straight up your nostrils and none of it would touch your face. I have to wear a chin strap because I do open my mouth but I'm claustophobic and ffm and nasal masks freak me out. Not that I'm not already a tad freaky .

Maxie wrote:I've had my machine for about a month now and I have found this forum to be very helpful. I have some questions I've not seen addressed so I hope some of you with experience will help me.

Is mask leakage something I will just have to live with? I'm currently using a Liberty hybrid mask and if I open my mouth the seal is better than with it closed but I prefer to sleep with my mouth closed.

I have sensitive skin and my face stays hot/flushed most of the day since I began wearing the mask. Does anyone else have this problem? I use the "special" CPAP cream and it doesn't seem to make any difference.

What is the best pillow to accommodate a side sleeper? Purchased with the cutout area? Modified yourself?

Headache? I have a mild headache most of the day. I mentioned it to my sleep doctor and he just nodded. Not too helpful but he probably doesn't have SA!

Thank you in advance for anything you can tell me that might help me along this new journey. I am determined to make this work and work well!

Maxie wrote:What is the best pillow to accommodate a side sleeper? Purchased with the cutout area? Modified yourself?

I use a buckwheat hull pillow. You can push the hulls around to form a comfortable shape. I got mine from beans72.